Beach-Blanket Bummer

After a ten-year run, the annual Rob Machado Surf Classic and Beach Fair has been canceled. Held every September at Seaside Reef in Cardiff, the surf contest/festival hosted eight to ten bands during the two-day event. Machado's pro-surfer status attracted big bands...which created problems.

"Jack Johnson stopped by and played one year," says Machado. "Last year [locals] Switchfoot played. We were kind of caught off guard.... I thought we were doing everyone a favor [by having Switchfoot play]. In hindsight, I guess we should have let [the city] know."

Though Switchfoot's appearance wasn't advertised, Machado says, "The band announced it on their website. There were so many people on the beach.... The state [which manages Cardiff Beach] felt like the event got too big and out of control. The state had been taking care of us because we raised money for local schools and Surfrider [Foundation]. They came back after last year and said, 'No beer garden and no music.'" Machado says the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce, which organized the event, "...decided to pull the plug on it this year." Machado's manager is looking for a way to hold the festival without help from the chamber of commerce.

With pro surfer Kelly Slater, Machado played guitar in the Surfers, which released one album ten years ago. "It did really good in Japan. It didn't do much in the States because we were always out surfing." Last month, Machado began cohosting his syndicated one-hour talk show that pertains to surfing. Off the Lip originates from San Diego's Free FM (103.7 FM), Sundays at 9 a.m.